Why wouldn't apple let software just work as a proxy between the drone and dji?

You don't need camera access, location services, etc when the drone does all of it onboard.

I got a mavic early on and sent it back because you needed the app and an account to activate it and fly it, even manually.

I'm not sure if you're joking. Apple's business depends on them bending the rules for China.

I’m not sure how that is any more true for Apple vs Google? Every tech company relies heavily on China for business.

Google is banned in China while Apple is not (because they bend their own rules to get that sweet Chinese cash).

Google Search, Alphabet's main business, doesn't exist in China.

Google has famously made a stand and fussily exited China. Since then its stock underperformed competitors that didn’t.

Is there actual evidence that Apple is bending the rules for them? If true, that would be quite a scoop!

Yes, the CCP published on their website that Apple is collaborating with them.

Of course there wouldn't be any evidence.

What people allege is that Apple being successful in China is suspicious.

Apple’s strict on App Store rules but gives WeChat a free pass (2020) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36882467

Of course there is no smoking gun but you'd have to be dumb to believe it's not happening. Apple want to make phones in China and sell phones to China Wechat (China) is allowed a free pass on the app store.

iOS does not allow sideloading. Android does. That would be enough difference. You can still enforce app permissions on apps outside the store on Android, like location and cameras etc only when using the app and so on.